The Overlooked Solution To Help Disguise Ugly Downspouts In Your Yard

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Your home's downspouts perform an incredibly useful function: They channel water away from your house's foundation. If water weren't diverted, it could cause leaks or damage the siding or basement. However, downspouts aren't the prettiest things in the world, with their utilitarian designs doing little to improve the look of your house. You could invest thousands of dollars into stylish options like shiny copper or stainless steel downspouts. However, there is a smarter, more practical way to upgrade or update these indispensable exterior features so they blend seamlessly with your home. Say goodbye to the eyesore of downspouts with one sleek DIY solution: Paint them to match the color of your house or yard, depending on where they make the most impact.

If you alter the hue of your downspout, it will fade into the background, no longer grabbing all the attention. For instance, you could paint it deep blue to match your siding or the same brick-red as your paved driveway. It's an easy way to boost your home's curb appeal. For this inexpensive makeover, all you'll need is a sturdy ladder, a paintbrush, paint roller, or paint sprayer, some exterior primer, and some weatherproof paint. For a longer-lasting job, you'll also need some sandpaper, a bucket of warm, soapy water, a sponge, some old towels, and a tarp. A side note: If you decide to paint your downspouts, think about also giving your gutters a new coat of paint, too. That way, everything will blend seamlessly together.

Wait for a sunny day to tackle this project so that your freshly painted downspouts dry quickly. Homeowners in cooler climates should aim to complete this project in May to October, which is the best time of year to paint your home's exterior. Ascend your ladder and inspect your downspouts. If you notice leaks, rust, or other significant damage, they'll need more than a cosmetic fix. Consider replacing them with new downspouts in a color that matches your home's exterior. However, if they're in good shape, it's safest to temporarily remove them to paint them. Loosen the mounting hardware with a screwdriver, take them down, and lay them flat on a clean tarp on your lawn. Using warm, soapy water and a sponge, scrub the outsides of your downspouts and their hardware to remove stuck-on dirt and leaves. Sand off any old paint, then wipe them clean with a HomeExcel Microfiber Cleaning Cloth.

Once the cleaned downspouts are dry, apply a coat of primer with your paintbrush, roller, or sprayer. Renting or purchasing an airless paint sprayer will give a smoother, more even finish and allow you to complete the job faster than with other tools. For vinyl downspouts, use an acrylic primer and paint for best results. Aluminum downspouts do better with oil-based primer — it's more durable on this type of metal. Apply the paint once the primer is dry, which takes a few hours, depending on the brand. Prime and paint any hardware and fixtures, like mounting straps and extensions, so they match. Again, allow the paint to dry and cure for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer. Then, reinstall your downspouts and stand back to admire how well they blend in.